The First Return to

the Philippines
DIANNE T. DE JESUS
 Table of Contents

01. First homecoming 06. Rizal back in Paris

02. Rizal in Hong Kong 07. Rizal in Brussel

03. Rizal in Japan

08. Rizal back in Madrid
04. Rizal in United States
09. Rizal back in Hong Kong
05. Rizal in London
01
First
Homecoming
After five years of memorable sojourn in Europe, Rizal returned to the Philippines in August 1887. Rizal
was warned by Paciano and other relatives not to return home, yet he did not heed their warning. He
was determined to return to the Philippines for the following reasons:

1. To operate on his mother’s eyes;

2. To serve his people who had long been oppressed by Spanish tyrants;

3. To find out for himself how the Noli and his other writings were affecting Filipinos and Spaniards in
the Philippines; and

4. To inquire why Leonor Rivera remained silent.

● Rizal’s arrival was like a storm over his novel. One day, Rizal received a letter
from Governor General Emilio Terrero requesting him to go to Malacañan
Palace. Rizal went to Malacañan. He was informed by the Governor General
of the charges and explained that he merely exposed the truth. Rizal’s
enemies were powerful. Dominicans examined the text of the Noli and Governor General Emilio Terrero
found it to be subversive of public order and ordered the importation,
reproduction, and circulation of the book be absolutely prohibited.
Repercussions of the storm over the Noli reached Spain. During the days
when the Noli was the target of a heated controversy, all copies of the Noli
were sold out.

● What marred Rizal’s happy days in Calamba was the death of his older
sister, Olimpia, and the news circulated by his enemies that he was a
German spy. Rizal’s exposure of the deplorable conditions of tenancy in Olimpia Died on
Aug 1887
Calamba and the friars, force him to leave his country for the second time in
February 1888. He was then a full-grown man of 27 years of age
02
Rizal in Hong
Kong
USS Zafiro (1994)
● On February 3, 1888, after a short stay of six months
in Calamba, Rizal left manila for Hong Kong on board
the Zafiro. He arrived in Hong Kong in February 8.

● In Hong Kong, Rizal stayed at the Victoria Hotel and he

was welcomed by the Filipino residents including Jose
Maria Basa. In February 18, Rizal accompanied by Mirador Mansion, Flat A3,14/F,
Jose Maria Basa 54-64 Nathan Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui,
Basa, boarded the ferry steamer Kiu-Kiang for Macao.
(1839-1907) Hong Kong
During his two-week visit in Hong Kong, Rizal studied
Chinese Life.

● On Feb. 22 1888, Rizal left Hong Kong on board the

Oceanic. His destination was Japan.
 RMS Oceanic (1870)

03
Rizal in Japan
● Rizal arrived in the Land of Cherry Blossoms on Feb 28, 1888. He was
enchanted by the natural beauty of Japan, the charming manners of the
Japanese people, and the picturesque shrine. There he met a Japanese girl and
fell in love with her. She was Seiko Usui, whom Rizal affectionately called O-Sei-
San.

● Rizal first arrived in Yokohama in February 28, and on the next day he went to
Tokyo. There he was invited to live at the Spanish Legation although he was
staying at Tokyo Hotel. Rizal did not know how to speak the Japanese language
Seiko Usui – 1867-1947
although he looked liked a Japanese. To avoid embarrassment, Rizal decided to
study the Japanese language.

● O-Sei-San’s beauty and affection almost tempted Rizal to settle down in Japan.
Rizal saw in lovely O-Sei-San the qualities of his ideal woman: beauty, charm,
modesty, kindness, intelligence, and sincerity. O-Sei-San reciprocated his
affection. She helped Rizal in many ways. She was more than a sweetheart,
guide, interpreter l, and tutor. Rizal had to carry his mission of being acquainted
with different people in Europe and resumed his voyage leaving behind O-Sei-
San. Despite his sorrowing heart, Rizal enjoyed the pleasant transpacific voyage
Shrine
to the United States.
 Rizal Comic
https://www.manga.club/bv/t/
JOSERIZAL-EN/v/1/s/1/p/1
04 Steamer Belgic

Rizal in United
States
Rizal first saw America on April 28,1888. His arrival was
marred by racial prejudice. Rizal arrived in San
Francisco on board the steamer Belgic. All passengers
were not allowed to land and the ship was placed under
quarantine on the grounds that it came from the Far
East where a cholera epidemic was raging. After a week
of quarantine, all first class passengers including Rizal
were permitted to land.

On May 4 1888 Rizal arrived in San Francisco and

registered at the Palace Hotel and stayed for two days.
He left for Oakland, then to Sacramento and on May 6,
Palace Hotel,
he arrived in Reno, Nevada. He continued his trip then San Francisco
to Colorado and Nebraska, then Chicago, Albany, and
on Sunday of May 13, he reached New York. He visited
the scenic and historical places and on May 16, 1888,
he left New York for Liverpool on board the City of
Rome.
05 RMS Aquintania (1913) in Liverpool, Echo

Rizal in London
● From New York he arrived in London and in Liverpool on May
24, 1888, before proceeding to London. For a short time, he
stayed as a guest of Dr. Antonio Regidor, an exile and a
practicing lawyer. By the end of May, he transferred to a new
boarding house owned by the Beckett Family. It was here
that Rizal met Gertrude Beckett, a true-blooded English
women. Her case with Rizal was quite different from the
others because it was a one-way affair. She showed sign of
being very much in love with our hero. It was she who carried
Rizal’s breakfast to his rooms and his tea in the afternoon.
Rizal’s charm and chivalry might have been interpreted by
the English lass as a proposal. It was then that Rizal made A Wonderful Life:
Painting of Dr. Rizal by Gertrude Beckett
up his mind to leave London before this new development Fermin Sanchez

grew serious, because he respected the love of Gertrude or

Gettie as she was called.
06
Rizal back in
Paris
● From London Rizal went back to Paris in March 1889 and
it was extremely difficult for a visitor to find living
quarters there. For a short period, Rizal lived in the house
of his friend, Valentin Ventura. He transferred residence
several times, moving from one hotel to another.

● Although life in Paris was gay, Rizal continued to be very

busy. Hours were too precious for him to waste. In his Valentin Ventura
spare time, Rizal used to dine at the homes of his friends.

● On Dec. 25 1889, Christmas Day, although Rizal lived a

frugal life, he prepared a sumptuous Christmas dinner
for some of his friends. After a one-month stay, Rizal
prepared to got to Brussels in Belgium.
07
Rizal in Brussel
● On January 28, 1890, Rizal left for Brussels, capital of
Belgium. He left Paris for two reasons:

1. The cost of living in Paris was very high; and

2. The gay social life of the city hampered his literary works
especially the writing of his second novel, El Filibusterismo.
Jose Albert
● Rizal was accompanied by Jose Albert when he moved to
Brussels. There Rizal became busy writing his second novel
which was a continuation of the Noli. Aside from his hectic
schedule, Rizal wrote articles for La Solidaridad and letters to
his family and friends.
● In Brussels, Rizal received news from Juan Luna and Valentin
Ventura that many Filipinos in Spain were involved in gambling.
He wrote to Marcelo H. del Pilar on May 28, 1890 to remind the
Filipinos in Madrid not to gamble, but to help work for their
fatherland’s freedom.

● While in Brussels, Rizal came to know Suzanne Jacoby or petite

Suzanne who was attracted to him. Like other woman Rizal
ignored her, and when he left for Madrid she cried.

Marcelo H. Del Pillar Suzanne Jacoby

08
Rizal back in
Madrid
● because of the disappointment in Madrid, Rizal took a vacation on the
French Basque Coast upon the invitation of the rich Boustead Family.
He had befriended Eduardo Boustead when they met in Paris, where
the latter was also with his two charming daughters (Adeline and
Nellie). It was here when he had serious romance with Nellie and
finished the last chapter of his second novel, El Filibusterismo. His Leonor Rivera Nellie Adeline
one-month vacation worked wonders for Rizal. He spent it in scenic
beaches and the festive atmosphere made him forget the bitter
memories of Madrid. Rizal, having lost his beloved Leonor, came to
entertain considerable affection for Nellie whom he treated to be a
real Filipina. He had intention to propose marriage to her. Rizal’s
marriage proposal failed because he did not like to give up his
catholic faith; Nellie was a protestant and besides, the parents of
Nellie, especially her mother, did not like Rizal as son in law. Although Boustead family
they could not get married, Rizal and Nellie parted as good friends.
 The Love TRIANGLE
● Luna then returned to Madrid, only to realize that the girl he had been courting was becoming deeply infatuated
with Jose Rizal. The subject of both men’s affection was Nelly Boustead, the half-Filipina and half-European
who would go down in history as the woman whom Rizal almost married.
● Nelly not only captured the hearts of both Luna and Rizal, but also aroused the curiosity of other Filipino
propagandists such as Tomas Arejola who said:
● “since last year I have heard a number of times here about this young lady…who is also a Filipina. I am told she
is to be recommended because of her excellent upbringing, her most attractive moral and physical qualities
and, in addition, because she is a Filipina.”
● Luna and Rizal often went on dates with Nelly and her younger sister, Adelina. Rizal first met the Bousteads in
Paris in the summer of 1889, and they had since become part of a circle of friends also composed of the Luna
and the Pardo de Tavera brothers.
● The big explosion came in the summer of 1890, when both men attended a reunion of Filipino exiles in Madrid.
● Antonio Luna got drunk, and as with any person who suddenly becomes braver under the influence of alcohol,
made a sarcastic remark about Nelly and Rizal. An argument ensued between the two men, with one of them
challenging the other to a duel.
● Although it’s not sure who challenged who (historians have different accounts), the said duel didn’t push
through thanks to the cooler heads who intervened.
● Luna was brought to his home and apologized to Rizal as soon as he sobered up. On behalf of his brother, Juan
Luna also wrote a letter of apology to Rizal from France in August 1890:
● “I suppose that this incident will not be the cause of any resentment between the Filipinos and Antonio, for,
having taken back what he had said and gave them permission to tie him if he got drunk again, he showed that
he was repentant of the evil he had caused the gathering and his friends…..It is true that Antonio has a strong
character and he is very sensitive. This is very good if the cause is just.”

Read more : https://filipiknow.net/antonio-luna-and-jose-rizal-duel-nelly-boustead/?

fbclid=IwAR2b8AnOKYHXKwSjU1ibmKM6KD-hNoo041MLNXu-W8HN6XUkAlPasUXelL8
● From Madrid, he went back to Brussels where he become busy
revising and polishing the manuscript of El Filibusterismo. He
went to Ghent where he searched for a printer for his novel. At
last on Sep. 18 1891, El Filibusterismo came off the press.
Rizal, a very happy man, sent two copies to Hong Kong - on for
Basa and the other for Sixto Lopez. The book was dedicated to
the three Filipino priests who where executed in the Philippines.
Ghent , Belgium
● After the publication of El Filibusterismo, Rizal left for Hong
Kong where he lived from November 1891 to June 1892. He left
Europe because life was unbearable and he really wanted to see
his family and his country.
09
Rizal back in
Hongkong
Rizal arrived in Hong Kong on Nov, 20 1891 and was welcomed by the Filipino residents, especially his
old friend Jose Ma. Basa. While in Hong Kong, Rizal sent a letter to his family asking permission to
return home.

Rizal’s family composed of his father, brother, mother and sisters who arrived in late had a reunion in
Christmas of 1891. It was one of the happiest Yuletide celebration of Rizal’s life. It was in Hong Kong
where Rizal practiced his knowledge in ophthalmology. He joined the clinic of a Portuguese physician Rizal's Clinic
Dr. Lorenzo Marquez who became his friend and admirer. He had many patients and it’s here where he
successfully operated in his mother’s left eye so she was able to read and write again.

In May 1892, Rizal made up his mind to return to Manila Relatives and friend of Rizal opposed his
decision to return home. Not even fear of death could deter Rizal from his decision. On June 19,1892,
he spent his 31st birthday in Hong Kong. He had a premonition of his deaths for he wrote two letters,
one addressed to his parents, brother, and friends; and the second letter to the Filipinos. He gave them
Rizal Family lived
his friend Dr. Marquez for safekeeping and instructed him only to open the letter after his death.

To earn a living for himself and for his family, Rizal practiced medicine. A Portuguese physician, who
became his friend, helped him to be an ophthalmic surgeon l. In due time, he became a successful
medical practitioner. He had many patients including British, Chinese, Portuguese, and also
Americans. Some of his friends who were in Europe gave him substantial and moral aid in his
medicine practice in Hong Kong. Rizal possessed the quality of a great ophthalmic surgeon. Had he
devoted his lifetime to the practice of medicine he would have become one of Asia’s eminent
ophthalmologists. Dr. Lorenzo Marquez